June 14, 2010

The work is going really great. We are being blessed to meet people that are prepared for the gospel. This last week we met two new investigators. The first time we taught them we set them for baptism. :) I don't think that has happened very often on my mission. They are doing great. Their names are Vikram and Kesevan. They both just kind of walked up to us and wanted to be taught. So we did and now they are getting baptized in two Sundays. It's crazy. I'm guessing this is a little what it's like in Brazil and other South American countries. :)

Chennai is awesome. They actually have American food here. Last Wednesday I bought ham and cheddar cheese. The first time I have seen those since I came to India.

Things are going great. My zone is awesome and they are working so hard. We are planning for 15 baptisms this month which has never happened in the history of Chennai. :) Cool, huh?

Yesterday we had our last zone conference with President Nichols. It was absolutely amazing. He taught us some of the best things I have ever learned. I don't think I fully explained to you how amazing President Nichols is. I cant really describe what makes him the way he is, but he is so inspiring and kind. Everything he does is for the benifit of others. I dont think he thinks about himself all day. I am going to miss him a lot, but I want to go visit him in Alaska and go fishing with him. :)

Well I got transferred.:) to the hottest city in our mission. Chennai. It is also the biggest, like 14 million people or more. I'm not really sure. I'm going to be one of the zone leaders with Elder Shepherdson. He is cool. I know him. We were together in hyderabad.

As far as Chennai goes, everyone said it would be so hot, but it's not so bad. They have lots of trees that keep things cool on the streets. We are also having a lot of appointments so we spend most of our time inside peoples houses. It's a pretty cool city. Everyone speaks English, so that is an upgrade. :) We have some good investigators, so that is always a plus. The zone is also doing great. The mission is working hard. We are trying to meet our mid year goal of 300 baptisms by the end of June. We need 79 more this month. That has never happened, but I have confidence that we will make history. Our zone is supposed to get 15. It's going to happen. Things are wierd being a zone leader. There are a lot of things that need our attention and that we have to take care of. We get so many phone calls. In erode we probably got on average 3 per day. Here we get like 30. It's fun.

My apartment is about the same as my last apartment. Ii'ts not bad. Bearable for a couple months. :)
My companion is Elder Shepherdson. He is awesome. He is from Florida; his dad is an accountant. Ironic, because that's what I want to be. He is very organized. Something that I can learn from him. He is very kind and loving. He works to meet peoples needs. We are doing great.

Oh, on Sunday (May 30th) the branch I was in in, Chennai first branch, split into two. We are now in Chennai 3rd branch. We have an entire branch to ourselves. It's awesome. We also have 4 American families in our branch. They are awesome. We ate lunch at one of their houses on Sunday. It was amazing to say the least. Ham, funeral potatoes, jello, homemade bread, broccoli, chocolate cream pie, and lemon bars. It doesnt get any better than that in India. :)

This will definately be my last area unless there is a disaster. :) What does that mean? Is he predicting a something? MM

We have 3 baptisms on Sunday. It is a sweet family. It is a mother and her two daughters. Their father ran out on them when the youngest girl was one so about 10 years back. It is so sad. It happens so much in India. It bugs me. It makes me mad actually. Anyway, they are pretty poor, but they are very happy since they recieved the gospel. It is awesome to see them smile whenever we visit and teach about the Gospel. The daughters are funny. They just barely started to warm up to us. They are very cute, but very quiet. It is fun to finally hear them talk. They are a great family. :) I'll send pictures next week. :)

JACKFRUIT looks like giant potatoes!

Indian birthday tradition, wiping the cake all over the birthday boy's face

This past week I was studying in Alma. The stories of Ammon and Aaron. I love those guys. They have become my favorite stories from the Book of Mormon. I still love the Brother of Jared, but Ammon and Aaron are growing on me. It so amazing to read about all that they did. Reading about it makes me want to serve everyone I see. It makes me want to teach the gospel to everyone. It is crazy how the Book of Mormon does that. It's great. I think one of my favorite scriptures has become Alma 26:27. It inspires me to keep working hard. To stay diligent and obedient so I can receive Gods blessings.

DEVON'S COMES HOME

Devon will be flying in to Salt Lake on August 2nd @ 10:55. We will be there to pick him up.

He speaks in Sacrament meeting on the 8th @ 9am. We will have a BBQ following @ 2pm. Bring a salad & RSVP to djfamily82@gmail.com

SLIDESHOW OF INDIA

Double Click on the photo to see the pictures larger and Captions

The Testimony of Elder Jenks

Being that it is Christmas time and Christmas is all about our Savior, I thought I would bear you my testimony - well, not bear, but write:This whole mission experience has been really crazy. I wasn't sure how good I was going to be at it. After 4 months I guess I'm dong OK. I know that I have grown so much. I also know that the gospel wasn't always the first thing on my mind. That is something that has definately changed. I love this gospel. I have always loved it, I just haven't always acted the part. I am ready to act the part. I love everything about it. I love that any question I have can be answered by scriptures, prophets or church materials. There is no way this isn't true! As I have been studying more and more, I know with all my heart that this Chruch is the one true Church and that if I do what is told by prophets and scriptures, I can live with God and you again forever. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. That he, through the power of God, translated the Book of Mormon. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet and that he receives revelation for all of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Not because that is what I was taught all my life, but because I have prayed and asked if it is true.I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and the Savior of the world. If we follow His example and the prophets that are chosen, we can return to live with God and receive so much more happiness than we have ever known.I know that God is my Father, that He loves me. I know this because He blesses me with a loving family and friends. He blesses me with so much. Most of the time I don't deserve it, but still He gives. I am so thankful for the Atonement and all it does. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Jenks' email address

djfive@myldsmail.netAnyone may send him an email, but he can only answer family. I will pass any messages from him on to you.

Elder Jenks' MTC Experience

I loved the MTC, I didn't really want to leave.....I loved how I could feel the Spirit 24/7. I could feel (It) even doing the menial things. I felt the Spirit even when I was doing my service assignment every Monday.....The second thing I loved most about the MTC was that I could walk from my class to the cafeteria that was 200 yards away and I would hear at least 3 different languages. It was cool to know that so many people could learn a new language so fast......My favorite food at the MTC was definately not Yellow Death (the scrambled eggs). I really liked the chicken cordon bleu and the chicken fried steak was good, too......It is weird to call everyone 'Elder', but I am getting used to it..... Another funny thing was at the Referral Center with Elder Singh who's dad is Indian, his first name is Permjeet. Everytime someone would call and he would tell them his name the person would hang up on him. So he changed his name to Steve for all intents and purposes. Well he told a lady that he was Steve and they started talking and he taught her the first lesson and more. It was an awesome experience, but at the end she asked what his last name was and he couldn't think of one to say. He looked at the screen and saw Jacobs, so thats what he told her. Well that turned out to be her last name too. So she went off about how they could be related. It was really funny. We were all listening to the conversation. It was a pretty good teaching opportunity though.